If you have to prepare before this weekend’s storm, you still have time on Friday. As soon as the storm begins, the Colorado Department of Transportation would like you to stay put, as travel may become impossible.
“Use common sense,” Governor Jared Polis said at a news conference on Thursday. “If it starts to snow, it will probably get worse before it gets better. So don’t get caught. We are activating the National Guard for search and rescue, but you don’t want to be one of the ones they search for and rescue. “
Friday will be cloudy in Denver with a high of 39, according to the National Weather Service. The rain will start in the late afternoon and will last until around sunrise on Saturday morning, where it will change to snow. The low will drop to 31 degrees.
“Satellite images of water vapor showing the center of circulation of the approaching storm system on the southern California coast at this time. This downtown will slowly move east through southern California today and progress to northern Arizona tonight, ”writes the NWS. “Over Colorado, a strong southwest flow overhead today will prevail ahead of the storm system. This will start dry air at medium and higher levels. However, a low flow from the east will prevail due to the reduction of surface pressure to the west. This east wind will carry moisture to eastern Colorado, resulting in low clouds throughout today and tonight.
“Even if there is not much snow, if any, is expected for the foothills and mountains tonight, we will keep the Winter Storm Alert in place due to possible ice conditions due to the freezing drizzle,” reports the NWS. “Expect a transition to snow in the late evening and early Saturday morning.”
[5:30 AM 3/12] Here is the latest snow forecast. 1-2 feet of snow are expected in the urban corridor. 2-4 feet at the foot. Lighter quantities west of the Continental Division. Rain mixes across the northeastern plains, leading to smaller amounts. #COwx pic.twitter.com/oPfYNTohOP
– NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) March 12, 2021
Denver will have a maximum temperature of 34 degrees on Saturday; Denver is expected to be hit with up to 5 inches of snow during the day. As casualties drop to 22 degrees on Saturday night, Denver may receive streaks of heavy snow totaling more than 20 centimeters.
“Intense precipitation rates are expected from these rains / storms with a big question mark as to the location of the rain / snow line,” says the NWS. “Current thinking revolves around a line from Limon to Fort Morgan and Sterling. Further west along corridor I-25; heavy, wet snow with relatively low snow rates is expected.
According to the NWS, there is uncertainty about whether snow will stick to the roads.
“High road temperatures with an angle of the March sun can keep the roads too hot to build up. However, the rates of heavy snowfall can be enough for the snow to accumulate ”, he reports. “We will still send messages about dangerous travel conditions to be on the safe side. At the foot, heavy snow will begin and accumulate on all surfaces, leading to an almost impossible journey. “
The significant winter storm is still underway for this weekend. Here are the highlights for the next storm.#cowx pic.twitter.com/ELhfg1OxAd
– NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) March 12, 2021
Sunday will return to 34 degrees as heavy snow continues to hit the city, decreasing around midnight while the temperature drops to 24 degrees.
“The amount of snow that falls during the night from Saturday to Sunday will depend a lot on the exact trail in the valley. Snow is still likely in the northern foothills and on I-25 corridor on Saturday night, but the highest rates appear to be going to Wyoming, ”said the NWS. “Overall, the storm’s total snowfall is expected to be 30 to 60 centimeters in Denver, with slightly larger quantities in Boulder and Fort Collins. The foothills are still on the way to 2 to 4 feet of snow. The downward flow will result in much lower snowfall totals west of the Continental Division, especially in the Northern and Middle Parks. The area of greatest uncertainty for impacts and amounts of snow is the eastern plains, where Winter Storm Watch remains in effect. “
Monday has a small chance of snow before noon, as the storm will be almost over.
As snow totals will be higher in the city and at the foot than in mountain passes, CDOT has a unique solution to fight the storm.
“This storm is very different from our High Country mountain storm routine, which typically falls 60 to 90 centimeters,” said John Lorme, director of maintenance and operations at CDOT. “So, instead, I’m directing our High Country resources that I normally have here to the Front Range.”